Abstract: Under the present invention, when a configuration change for a computer system is monitored and a message corresponding thereto is issued, a response to the message will be observed. Thereafter, the configuration change, the message and the response will be logged. In logging this information, the respective times and identities of corresponding users will be stored together. Thus, if an error condition results from the configuration change, a supervisor or the like will be able to access the log file and see (among other things): (1) the configuration change that caused the error condition; (2) the identity of the user who made it; and (3) the user's response to the corresponding message that was provided.

Abstract: A system and method for confirming messages being sent within an instant messaging environment. An instant messaging system is disclosed, comprising a confirmation enablement system that allows a user to selectively enable a requires confirmation option for a contact associated with the user; and a send message interface that displays a confirmation requirement for messages being sent to the contact if the requires confirmation option is enabled, wherein the confirmation requirement must be confirmed by the user before the message can be sent.

Abstract: User interfaces, methods, and computer program products can conserve space on a computer system screen by associating an icon with a plurality of operations. In an illustrative embodiment, an icon's visual appearance is used to associate the icon with a particular operation. In response to input from a user, the icon's appearance changes to indicate that the icon is now associated with an alternative operation. Thus, a graphical user interface (GUI) for operating a computer system can use a single icon to represent and provide access to a plurality of operations that otherwise may require several icons, which can consume valuable space on a computer system display or monitor. Therefore, the user interfaces, methods, and computer program products may be particularly useful in small computer systems, such as laptop computers, handheld computers, palmtop computers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), and pervasive computing devices.

Abstract: A technique, system, and computer program for quickly and efficiently selecting or deselecting a spatially-related group of objects using a single selection or deselection operation, while preserving the ability to select or deselect individual items within a group or subgroup. A new set of graphical control objects is defined, any of which will graphically indicate the members of the group with which it is associated without requiring a textual explanation. Alternatively, a control object such as a slider bar may be used, where the technique of controlling the selection status of the group is defined for the slider bar in a novel manner.

Abstract: A user interface for a data processing system includes a desktop workspace with a background containing one or more sets of interactive graphical elements arranged in respective repeating patterns. Each of the graphical elements of the one or more sets is responsive to user input for performing various functions associated with one or more application programs. The graphical elements of the one or more sets may change appearances in response to changes in status of one or more of the application programs.

Abstract: Individual messages that are displayed on a screen are modified to allow a user to select options relating to the future display of the message and, if the message is to be displayed, then the procedure for removing the message from the screen. As a message is displayed, it is provided with an options pushbutton. Selection of the pushbutton provides the display of the options for displaying and removing the message.

Abstract: Items in a container object of a first computer application program are filtered using filter data for related entries in a container object of a second computer application program.

Abstract: A pointer associated with a computer pointing device is used to give instructions to the user of a computer program as to what actions are expected/required from the user. Upon placing the pointer in a predesignated action area of a panel of the computer program, the pointer is automatically changed to an action required pointer to indicate what the user is expected and/or required to do. Additionally, the pointer is used to directly designate a time, for example, a start and/or stop time for an event to be scheduled on an electronic calendar program. By placing the pointer at the appropriate time on a time line and activating the pointing device, the time is selected.

Abstract: A method and apparatus provide a direct manipulation protocol to allow a user, while dragging a source object to a target object, to pass the source object through one or more intervening processor objects, causing an appropriate action to occur to the source object when it is dropped on the target object. If the source object is passed across a processor object for which no appropriate action occurs, the source object remains unchanged in appearance and content. If the source object undergoes modification, its graphical representation to the user changes, giving the user feedback that the source object has been modified.

Abstract: As user is allowed alternatives for selecting computer application program actions which are dependent on the position of a computer display cursor. If the cursor is located at the position where the action is desired, the computer's user selects a textual or symbolic description of the action, thereby causing the action to be performed at the cursor's position. If the cursor is not located at the desired position, user moves an icon associated with the desired action to the desired position, thereby moving the cursor and causing the action to be performed at the desired position.